Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points, Premier League 2018-19

#1 Emery’s honeymoon period is over

A period of strife awaits Emery

Unai Emery arrived in the summer and instantly brought back the feel-good factor at Arsenal. A vibrant figure on the touchline, the fans took the Spaniard to their heart through the passion displayed by the latter.

Emery didn’t endure the best of starts and found himself without a point after his opening couple of fixtures. However, he turned it around in a jiffy and embarked on an astounding 22 game unbeaten run which was brought to a grinding halt at Southampton.

Since the defeat, Arsenal have also been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by their eternal rivals, Tottenham while they followed up a timid performance at the Amex on Boxing Day with an equally toothless performance at Anfield.

At this juncture, the Gunners find themselves a point off Chelsea despite having played a game more. Everyone knew that Arsenal would undergo a transition through 2018-19 but the Gooners are a notoriously impatient bunch and if Emery can’t turn things around, a clamour for his head may not be too far away.

In his previous stints in France and Spain, the Spaniard was afforded the luxury of heading home for Christmas. Yet, in England, he is running the risk of undoing his good work through the festive period.

A period of strife lies ahead for Emery and if things don’t go to plan, he could find himself under the microscope quicker than he can blink. However, Emery has brought in a breath of fresh air and is still the right man to take Arsenal forward. Provided with the adequate support, the Spaniard can indeed write himself into Arsenal folklore.

Yet, the road which seemed all sunshine and rainbows till a month back now has a grey cloud hovering over it.